Chapter 169 : Chaos (2)

Hope is dangerous.

In very many ways.

-Can we really go back????

-But how do we go up there? Do we have to launch a rocket or something?

-Where is a rocket in this era fck lol

-Then does that mean there is another way?

Although it is visible to the eye, the method to return is unknown.

However, once the existence was confirmed, people who try all sorts of methods were bound to appear.

-I tried to cross over using Space Magic, but the price makes no sense. It’s just impossible.

-I tried too, but to cross over it was at the level of sacrificing the Empire almost.

Based on the testimonies of several Space Mages, one hypothesis was created.

-Then doesn’t it mean we can go if we sacrifice the entire Empire as a price?

-That’s right lol

-Not bad? They are all NPCs anyway.

-Seems actually decent lol

If a price is needed to return, shouldn’t we willingly pay it?

Of course, it is just talk rather than being serious, but the problem was that such voices were growing louder one by one.

Since the situation was like that, naturally, there were also not a few voices of self-reflection.

-? What is everyone saying? Are you saying you’re going to commit human sacrifice or something?

-I’m really scared you might actually think that way lol Are you crazy?

-Isn’t that sh*t happening in the Eastern Union also because of bastards like you? Come to think of it, that’s really suspicious.

-;; Everyone wake up, you’ve gone mad.

Naturally, the public opinions split in two clashes.

-It’s just talk, why get so serious… Do you have no friends?

-Fr lol

-Don’t they also want to return home anyway? Hypocrisy is just lol…

-Even if I want to return, I don’t want to return by killing people?

-But why return? Isn’t it good here? I don’t want to go back? What’s good about Earth lol

-Agreed, here is way better than Earth.

The users’ stances were various.

Starting from those who simply wanted to return to Earth, to those who opposed it for moral reasons.

In addition to that, those who wanted to stay because life here was better than life on Earth.

Watching them, I felt with my skin that the moment of choice Great Sage Akiro and the Supreme King spoke of was approaching.

Those who want to open the door.

Those who want to close the door.

Although they are just looking at the sky in front of them right now, before long, users will gradually realize that the Ascension Stone Fragments are related to the core of this whole series of events.

And surrounding the Ascension Stone Fragments, friction far greater than now will arise.

Choice will be unavoidable.

For me as well.

“…….”

Then what choice should I make?

I couldn’t know.

Not yet.

***

The journey returning from Arkendale to Winter Castle was truly long and far.

Naturally, I came to see many sights while returning.

In Hanover, where countless troops were gathered ahead of the war with the Empire, pandemonium was occurring.

“……Even Hanover has become like this. At this rate, it is safe to say the Eastern Union is truly finished.”

“Indeed. The Empire will be very pleased.”

“Maybe so.”

I tried to get news about Guar while returning, but sadly I could not hear anything.

Whether he was swept up by the magic of human sacrifice installed by the Supreme King, or if something happened during the process of attacking Arkendale…….

‘I don’t know.’

Although I was curious about Guar’s whereabouts, I couldn’t delay the journey, so I decided to look for news about Guar later and moved my steps.

It’s time to return to Winter Castle.

***

Returning to Winter Castle at the end of a long journey, I immediately visited Edric’s office.

Knock knock-

“Come in.”

As I opened the door to Edric’s office and entered, I saw Edric’s somewhat gaunt face.

“……You came.”

“Yes.”

Edric, who would usually have a sleek face, seemed to have been quite caught up in various matters.

It seemed even that man of steel couldn’t help but be affected by the events happening recently.

“I’m glad you returned safely. I’d like to hold a grand welcome ceremony if I could, but as you know, the recent situation hasn’t been very good.”

“A welcome ceremony is fine. I don’t particularly want one either.”

“Thank you for understanding. So, did the work in the Eastern Union go well?”

“To some extent.”

An unusual light appeared in Edric’s eyes soaked in fatigue.

“To some extent……. That’s an interesting phrase. Does that mean you obtained results?”

“That also, to some extent.”

“Were you always the type to like vague answers like this?”

“To some extent.”

“……Oh my.”

Edric chuckled as if troubled.

“Let’s not go around in circles and get to the main point. According to intelligence, they say the Eastern Union has disintegrated. No, beyond disintegration, they say it’s almost at the level of annihilation?”

“Is that so?”

“It just so happens that this happened shortly after you headed to the Eastern Union, so it’s quite a coincidence.”

“I see.”

“So I’m asking…… is this perhaps related to your trip to the Eastern Union?”

What happened in the Eastern Union wasn’t a big secret even to the Empire.

Since the Empire had planted all sorts of spies throughout the Eastern Union in the first place, it would be stranger if they didn’t know the news about this.

Soon, the answer I would give Edric was also already decided.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Hmm. As expected. Then what happened to the Supreme King?”

“He is dead.”

Edric’s eyes widened.

“……That is a bit surprising. No, since the Supreme King is dead, should we view it that this is happening because of that?”

“It is similar.”

“Haha…… the Supreme King is dead, certainly not an ordinary matter. I did guess to some extent when the Eastern Union ended up in this state, but…….”

Edric looked at me.

“Did you kill him?”

“Result-wise, yes.”

“Is that so……. Then do you also know about the phenomenon happening in the Eastern Union right now?”

“Yes. The Magic of Self-Sacrifice left by the Supreme King as he died was activated. The phenomenon occurring throughout the Eastern Union right now is due to that.”

“……Such a thing happened?”

Edric revealed shock and surprise simultaneously.

“You always surprise me. If that’s true, does that mean the Supreme King had installed those human sacrifice magic circles we saw last time in the cities of the Eastern Union?”

“It seems so.”

“……Truly a stark raving madman. Then the scenery revealed beyond that sky must also be the aftermath of that magic?”

“I couldn’t figure out that far, but the correlation itself seems high for now.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

I deliberately didn’t mention the scenery of Earth revealed beyond the sky.

I might end up saying unnecessary things, and strictly speaking, Edric was also on the side of the natives of this world.

“More than that, wouldn’t this much merit be enough now?”

The reason I told Edric about what happened in Arkendale without hiding anything except for the part about Earth was because only then could I speak about the merit I established this time.

I am a prisoner dragged to Winter Castle.

Therefore, to escape this plight, I had to fulfill my service term or establish merit befitting it, and finally, this moment has come.

There was no way Edric wouldn’t know what that meant.

“You, you haven’t changed your mind yet. In this chaos, being in Winter Castle might actually be the better choice. Yet you still intend to discharge?”

“Yes. I have things to do.”

“……Hmm, it can’t be helped then. Understood. First, I will report your merit to Margrave, and your discharge will be processed after that.”

Although Edric seemed regretful, he didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping my discharge.

Even though as the commander, Edric would have plenty of ways to stop my discharge if he wanted to.

“Thank you.”

“Rather, I am the one who is thankful. Thank you for doing a great deed for Winter Castle and the Empire.”

Edric bowed his head as if he genuinely thought so.

There was no way I wouldn’t know what it meant for a man of Edric’s stature to bow his head directly like that.

“I just did what I had to do.”

“But it wasn’t an easy task. No, it would have been impossible for anyone.”

“It was indeed so in reality, but.”

“Haha, I really like that part of you.”

Edric rose from his seat.

“Then I should get going now, it seems quite a few matters to report have arisen.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Then let’s see each other again when there is time later. Since the situation is what it is, I don’t think we can hold a separate grand discharge ceremony, though.”

“That is fine.”

“Thank you for understanding. Then let’s continue the rest of the talk later.”

“Yes.”

With that conversation, Edric and I left the office.

My long, long service life was finally showing its end.

***

A few days later, my discharge was officially decided.

The background behind why the discharge could be processed relatively quickly is simple.

Because what happened in the Eastern Union couldn’t be explained by anything other than the Supreme King’s death, and indeed, stories that the Supreme King had disappeared were being heard from the spies as well.

Above all, it could be seen as because Edric, who could be considered the person in charge on the scene, trusted me greatly.

“Congratulations. With this, you have become a completely free man.”

“Thank you.”

“Honestly speaking, it is very regretful but…… I suppose I can’t forcibly bend the will of a person of your caliber.”

When Edric’s commendation ended, Conlan, who was next to him, grinned and said.

“You’re going in the end.”

“I understand you guys also had your merits recognized this time?”

“That is true. We can’t discharge immediately, and they told us to serve for about 3 more months. If they’re going to discharge us, they should just do it immediately, what is this?”

“That is certainly strange.”

There must be some intention of Edric and Winter Castle there, whether I know it or not.

“Are you going to return to Bernhardt after discharging in 3 months?”

“Yeah. Although I confirmed Bernhardt is okay for now, I’m still anxious. I have to return as soon as possible.”

“I see.”

I turned my gaze to Albino.

“What about you?”

Albino answered my question.

“I plan to remain in Winter Castle.”

“You? That’s a bit unexpected.”

“Since I don’t really have anywhere to go anyway. In a chaotic era like now, Winter Castle, which is well-defended, would be on the safer side.”

“That is true.”

Just as there is a saying that the safest place when war breaks out is paradoxically the army, in a situation where great chaos has arrived like now, Winter Castle, which was the front line, could actually be a safe choice.

And as my gaze naturally turned to Alicia, Alicia shook her head slightly.

“I…… don’t really know.”

“Really? Well, since there is time left anyway, you can think slowly during that time. If it comes to it, you can remain in Winter Castle like Albino.”

“……I’ll think about it.”

“Okay.”

Conlan said.

“Anyway Vell, what do you intend to do from now on? Do you have a separate place to go?”

“Well. I’ll have to think about it from now on.”

“Hiding it tightly again. Whatever I say, you won’t tell me anyway, so forget it.”

Although I said that, in fact, there was something I had to do.

‘I will need to start collecting Ascension Stone Fragments in earnest soon.’

In the end, going round and round, the Ascension Stone Fragments hold the answer to this entire situation.

What choice to make is something to think about only after that.

‘There will be a lot to do.’

Yes, very much.

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